Melting the M.D.

All Meg Nichols needed to prove herself as an event planner was for this weekend's society wedding in the Texas Hill Country to go smoothly. Then things started to go wrong. The maid of honor's tan turned a very unnatural shade of orange. The best man had a skiing accident and broke his leg. And his replacement was none other than Meg's ex-boyfriend.

Doctor Scott Creighton had somehow gotten even better looking in the years since Meg had broken things off with him. But her career, her reputation, her chance to be a better personeverythingwere riding on this wedding. Meg refused to let Scott melt her resolve to remain professional no matter how high he turned up the heat.

Chapter Six

One moment, Meg felt as if she and Scott were completely alone, isolated in their own private bubble from a nebulous future and the mistakes of the past. But it only took a word from the store clerk to pop that bubble. She stepped away from Scott so quickly she almost tripped.

He watched her with remorse in his hazel eyes. Was he regretting the brief connection they'd shared or regretting that it had been interrupted? He finally redirected his gaze to the employee. "This tux is perfect, thanks. I'll take it. I should go change."

Change. Meg clung to the word like a lifeline. She was trying to change, and Lucy's wedding was her opportunity to prove it. The old Meg was the kind of person to act on emotions, like kissing an old boyfriend. The old Meg would have gone on to have an ill-advised weekend fling with said former boyfriend, heedless of the consequences.

But the new Meg would stay on task. She would solve the dilemma of where to relocate the wedding, and she would be a consummate professional. Especially with Scott.

***

As Scott changed back into his clothes, he realized that his hands were shaking. Meg Nichols had that effectshe could shake a man's entire world. Earlier, his anger had helped protect him from his own feelings. But when she'd leaned against him with so much trust, as if she needed him, it had been impossible to stay angry. And it was impossible to ignore the truth.

He still had feelings for Meg.

Although he'd dated some in the years since they'd broken up, he'd never met anyone who made him feel a fraction of what she did. The crazy thing was, he was convinced she'd loved him just as much. So why had she run away from what they'd shared? Her note had said they were incompatible, that she wasn't cut out for "life with a doctor." Had that been her way of saying he was too stuffy for someone with her free spirit? She'd said she wasn't good enough for him, but that was so ridiculous that he suspected it was a platitude meant to soften the blow. Like, it's not you, it's me.

Obviously Meg had a lot on her mind this weekend, and Scott didn't want to do anything to sabotage his cousin's wedding. But if she gave any sign of regretting her decision, of missing him, shouldn't he seize the opportunity for a second chance?

***

After the tuxedo shop, Meg stopped at the florist, where everything seemed on track for the bouquets, boutonnieres and other decorative arrangements. Thank heavens. Now Meg just had to find a venue for the wedding so those arrangements could be displayed.

As she returned to the car where Scott was waiting, Meg told herself that in forty-eight hours, Lucy and Grant would be married and all the obstacles they'd had to overcome would become colorful anecdotes Meg could tell her next clients.

And in forty-eight hours, Scott will be gone from your life. Again. She frowned, not sure how she felt about that.

Scott studied her expression as she approached, and raised his eyebrow. "Problem with the flowers?"

"No, the flowers will be lovely." The flowers, in fact, might be the only thing that had gone right today.

"Oh. You looked upset."

She pressed a hand to her right eyelid. When had she developed an eye twitch? "Of course I'm upset. I have to tell the bride she has no church for her wedding!"

"So this is professional stress, not personal?"

She cast him a sidelong glance. "You mean, am I upset by your presence?"

"Can't be easy to do your job with an ex-boyfriend underfoot," he said sympathetically.

The kindness in his tone was piercing. What had happened to his anger? That was a straightforward emotion, and one she knew she'd brought on herself. But how should she respond to this empathy?

She struggled for neutral civility. "We're both reasonable adults. If we're over one another, we should survive this weekend just fine."